‘조선민족미술관’을 둘러싼 1920년대 ‘조선미’ 담론

Abstract

Yanagi Muneyoshi (柳宗悦, 1889~1961) is known as a member of the Shirakaba,Shirakaba, he is a religious philosopher, folk craft activist, and the founder of the Korean Art Museum in Japan in the late 1920’s and 1930’s. His Korean cultural activities parallels the movement in Taisho period and the new colonial policy of Culture Politics carried out by the Empire of Japan due to 3.1 Independence Movement in Korea in 1919. All cultural activities that he promoted in Korea were acquired from the creative activities in the Shirakaba. Korean Art Museum in particular was founded as a result of these cultural activities. Emphasis is on having a sense of aesthetics characterized by ‘love’ and ‘affection’. However, it could be possible that the reality coincided with the political tide during those times were naïve to Yanagi’s intention. The museum has a great potential to receive international recognition, as it depicts reality however twisted it might be if viewed in various standpoints or ideologies. Consequently, we have to recognize the multifaceted aspect of the Korean art museum; it shouldn’t be politically or culturally misrepresented as it has been repeatedly.